Fade found himself in a much larger and more ominous hall when he passed through the shimmering light at the end of the cave. The ceiling was so high it was beyond sight, and the walls were adorned with ancient inscriptions. On the stone floor that echoed with every step, Fade's heartbeat seemed to be audible from the outside.
"This place... feels like another world." This passage is more than just a test. But there's no turning back now.
At that moment, as if a ritual had been triggered, a massive stone slab in the middle of the hall began to crack. From the ground, a being rose within dark auras.
Its appearance... was an indescribable fear.
The Gatekeeper.
He was about 3 meters tall. His muscular body throbbed like a pulse over the black veins on his pale gray skin. He had no eyes; but it could be felt, a blind yet striking awareness that saw into Fade's soul... He had a strange crown made of animal bones on his head. Chains hung down from his torso, scraping against the ground. With every step, the stones cracked, as if this place didn't want him.
Fade's breath was taken away. His heart trembled with natural fear.
"This thing... much stronger than anything I've faced before." Am I ready to face it? Am I ready to face it? .."
[WARNING: High-Level Asset Detected]
Gatekeeper [?? Level]
Power: ??
Agility: ??
Vitality: ??
Features: [Gatekeeper], [High Resistance], [Aura Pressure]
"The level of existence is beyond the current perception capacity." A detailed analysis cannot be conducted.
Fade took a step back. The Gatekeeper began to approach with heavy steps. The aura around him was intensifying, and the pressure on Fade felt like a physical blow.
"Calm down..." If you get scared, you'll die. Think tactically. You have a sword. You have the skills. And... that contract..."
Fade immediately grasped his rusty sword. The Quick Strike ability was ready. Before the Gatekeeper could reach him, Fade was cast!
Svvishh—TAAK!
The first blow hit the monster but had almost no effect. Fade used the Quick Strike ability, landing three blows in succession... Just a light mark.
[Gatekeeper took damage: -7 HP]
The guard suddenly swung his left hand. The big hand slammed Fade to the ground. When his back hit the stones, all the air in his lungs was expelled.
[Health: -26 HP]
[Health: 84 / 110]
"Ahhh... this guy is a monster!" Normal attacks aren't working...
Just when it felt like everything was about to end... a murmur was heard from among the shadows.
"This exam chose you, Fade."
Black smoke started swirling around Fade. The Shadow Contract activated involuntarily!
[Shadow Contract Activated]
Attack speed and defense increased by 30%.
The fade accelerated. The attacks became sharper, and evading became easier. Suddenly, in sync with the movements of his rusty sword, a system notification appeared:
[Basic Sword Mastery: Skill Acquired!]
[A rusty sword grants a 15% critical chance.]
Fade's eyes lit up. "This sword... it resonates with me!" Then... Let's see!
He attacked the monster one after another. He quickly plunged his rusty sword into the crack in his knees. Using the broken tooth he obtained from the Underground Worm as a knife, he dealt critical damage.
[Gatekeeper took damage: -32 HP]
[Critical Hit!]
However, this was not enough. The Gatekeeper hurled him away with one final move, and Fade collapsed to the ground. Weak, covered in blood... just about to give up.
At that moment, a voice echoed from the darkness.
"The way is opened for the chosen one." Now... finish."
The shadow on the ground where he lay began to grow. Fade hadn't noticed it, but if someone else had been watching, they would have noticed it...
An incredible vitality was flowing into Fade, and he was starting to feel stronger and more oppressive. He immediately stood up and focused on the gatekeeper. As he looked at the gatekeeper, a strange point of light on his chest caught his attention.
He immediately took an attack position and guarded with his sword.
"Come on, you can do it Fade...." He motivated himself by saying,"
The light in the Gatekeeper's chest vibrated. Fade gathered his last strength and aimed his sword there.
It was a very magnificent moment; if someone were watching this situation, they would have their mouths agape because, apart from Fade, no one could see the hidden voice and the stat window.
Who knows, maybe someone was watching... ?
[Critical Hit! The Gatekeeper's health dropped to 0%.]
[The Gatekeeper was KILLED]
+750 Experience Points
YOU LEVELED UP! → Level 4
YOU LEVELED UP! → Level 5
Rare Equipment: Shadow Chain (Inactive)
Shadow's Favor: Hidden Talent Unlocked
"Did I… succeed?" No... this is just the beginning. This world doesn't want someone like me... but I'm here.
As Fade closed his eyes, a beam of light enveloped him from the ground.
Fade's body lay motionless on the dark stone floor, alongside the fall of the Gatekeeper. The pain in his chest, the ringing in his head... everything was a mess. When she opened her eyes, the purple light that poured over her seemed to wrap around her like a curtain.
"Is this... a reward?" Or is it... a new test?"
The system's voice echoed:
[Pass Completed]
[Level Up] → Level 4
[Level Up] → Level 5
[+ 12 Stat Points Earned]
[Skill Points: +3]
[Rare Equipment: Shadow Chain (Inactive)]
[Shadow's Favor: Hidden Talent Acquired]
Fade slowly took a deep breath.
"Calm down." First, open the system, adjust your stats, then we'll see about the rest...
[STAT WINDOW]
Level: 5
Experience: 0 / 1200
Health: 110
Power: 12
Agility: 15
Intelligence: 8
Defense: 6
Skill Score: 3
Stat Score: 12
Fade squinted his eyes and thought:
"Strength and agility must go hand in hand... maybe a bit more agility, because in this new arena, speed can be everything." But we shouldn't neglect endurance either.
Added +5 Agility, +4 Strength, +3 Endurance.
[UPDATED STAT WINDOW]
Level: 5
Experience: 0 / 1200
Health: 125
Power: 16
Agility: 20
Intelligence: 8
Defense: 6
Skill Score: 3
"Not bad." Now, let's take a look at the 'Shadow Chain' issue.
A new notification has appeared on the screen:
[Rare Equipment: Shadow Chain]
Tip: Semi-living chain
Feature: Binds its owner with shadows, supports both attack and defense.
Active Ability: [Claw of Shadows] – Attacks the enemy with short-duration shadow chains.
"And... The Judgment of Shadows... what is this?.."
[Secret Talent: Shadow Step]
Fade can blend into shadows to make short-distance sudden movements. Cooldown time: 30 seconds.
Fade's heart raced.
"This... a perfect chance for an escape or an attack!" With this new skill and equipment, I can be stronger in this coliseum.
The system's volume increased again:
[Being Transferred to the Colosseum]
[Get Ready: 10... 9... 8...]
Fade quickly composed himself and took a deep breath.
"I won't give up." I will pass this exam too.